Robinho Signs for Atletico Miniero After Going MIA in China

Robinho returns to Brazil for a fifth spell, signing for Belo Horizonte.

The 32-year-old rejected the chance to return to Santos to play in the Copa Libertadores.

The ex-Manchester City star became a free agent at the start of February, abandoning Chinese Super League club Guangzhou.

Robinho might go down in footballing history as one of the greatest disappointments the game has ever seen.

A talented and skill young Brazilian, Robinho emerged through the Santos youth academy and set the world alight with his performances for the first-team earning his much anticipated move to Real Madrid as a 21-year-old.

Robinho failed to establish himself as a first-term regular, let alone a Madrid legend and became agitated to move away from the Spanish capital. After Manchester City began the spending spree that would see them transition into a Premier League powerhouse; Robinho moved to the blues just three years after he arrived at Los Blancos.

Robinho was instantly popular at the Etihad Stadium, his flair was refreshing for City faithful who had seen many years of bland, unappetising football.

Robinho’s first season was a resounding success but it wouldn’t last; the Brazilian proved to be fragile in the winter months and his form dropped dramatically. As the fan’s opinion of the winger began to shift, he became desperate to leave Manchester.

After a loan spell at Santos, he was sold to AC Milan, where he spent five years, though his final season was spent back on loan at Santos.

In July 2015, he joined Chinese Super League side Guangzhou. The money in China was clearly appealing although Robinho struggled to adapt to the lifestyle and became a free agent at the start of February.

The 32-year-old rejected the chance to return to Santos for a fourth spell and has instead decided to join the Belo Horizonte club in order to play in the Copa Libertadores.

Galo told the ex-AC Milan player that he had until last Friday to make a decision on their offer, turning down an offer of R$ 600,000 per month (€133,000) to rejoin Santos in favour of the R$ 800,000 per month (€177,000) offer from Atletico Mineiro.